Gap Year Pros And Cons (From Someone Who Took One To Travel, Learn Spanish And Watch Telenovelas)

Gap years are notorious for expectations; both our own and those of others.

Others expect that we will become so enraptured in other pursuits that we will refuse to return to education. The idea of not attending university or seeking further training seems so abhorrent that they shiver and interrogate us for our decisions.

"You won't be able to get back into the routine!"

"You'll lose interest in studying."

Whilst they doubt our decisions, we'll have grand expectations of maturity, travel or working. The truth is, sometimes a gap year is exactly what the name suggests - a gap. It's a break in between the chaos.

Here are the pros and cons of a gap year from someone who dreamt of one and then decided to take it.

What can you get out of a gap year?

As we grow up, we begin to question what we know about the world, or, more realistically, how little we know. If you lean more towards the latter, a gap year can be a great opportunity to mature and gather some life experience. It's like plunging into the depths of adulthood early and getting a taste of the future. This insight could help you figure out if you're heading the right way for university… or perhaps if you should go another route. Fending for yourself early on can also teach you to balance adult tasks and take on university stress easier.

A gap year allows you to focus on yourself again. The final year of high school can be mentally exhausting and sometimes you just need a year to recalibrate. This is nothing to be ashamed of. We all require a break and a gap year could be just the thing you need if high school’s psychologically taken a toll.

It's also a chance to expand your horizons! Since you've been old enough to remember, you've been a traditional student. Taking a gap year throws a curve-ball into the mix before you continue yet another few years of education. A gap year will enable you to live differently and experience new environments. You could travel to the Great Pyramids of Giza or sample South America. The possibilities are endless. You could learn a language too and develop a spectacular resume. You might've taken the year off formal education but you'd have hands-on experience on your CV with some extras to boot.

Alternatively, learning a language could just be a bit of fun. Learning Spanish this past year opened up the magical world of Guatemalan telenovelas for me. If you are having a bad day, I guarantee you that Guatemalan telenovelas will fix it.

How will I be disadvantaged if I take a gap year?

For some, however, a gap year might be the wrong way to go. If you're a student that may find it difficult to return to a classroom environment, a break from learning may – just as some predicted - make it a bit difficult to return.

You'll potentially be a year behind your mates and a gap year will push back the long road to tertiary education. (However, don't be too concerned by this, as degrees vary in length anyway.)

Whilst I loved traveling to Indonesia this year, my bank account withered into nothingness. Traveling can be expensive and most students are already livin’ la vida broka. If you haven't saved or aren't working, a gap year will chew away at your wallet. Before you start considering your grand European backpacking tour, remember that you'll need money to get there!

Remember, regardless of what you choose, a gap year nudges you in a general direction. This time will be spent imagining questions, answering questions or perhaps even realising you don’t need to answer any questions at all.

#meta

Cassie Ngurah is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. Learn more about our contributors program.